Nutella Babka

If you've never tried babka, you definitely need to add it to your bucket list and this Nutella Babka is a great place to start. The Nutella filling adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the bread.

Babka is a rich brioche dough with a sweet filling that's braided and baked. What I love about it, is there are so many options for fillings. It also makes a delicious breakfast of snack.

I'd love to hear how you like it, so please comment below.

If you make them, please share your creations and tag @tarynstastingtable

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Instant Yeast
• Butter
• Eggs
• Sour Cream 
• Milk
• Salt
• Vanilla Extract
• Nutella
• Chocolate Chips

Equipment:

• Handheld or stand mixer
• Large mixing bowl
• Hook attachment
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Rolling pin
• Two Loaf Tins
• Pastry brush

Instructions:

To make the dough: Place all the dough ingredients in a bowl of a stand mixer. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, mix to combine all of the ingredients.

Place the dough hook in and mix until a smooth and sticky dough forms. About 4-5 minutes.

Place the dough in a large bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap and allow to rest until it has doubled.

Place the dough on a very lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 2 even parts. With a rolling pin, roll each dough piece into 12" wide and twice as long as the pan you are using.

Spread Nutella in the center of the dough while leaving a ½ inch around the edges. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of Nutella.

Roll the filled dough starting from the farther edge towards you until you have a long log. Using a serrated knife, gently cut the roll in half lengthwise, starting at the top and finishing at the seam, essentially dividing the log into two long even halves, with the layers of dough and filling visible along the length of both halves. With the cut sides facing up, gently press together one end of each half, then lift the right half over the left half. Repeat this process, but this time lifting the left half over the right, to create a simple two-pronged plait. Gently squeeze together the other ends so that you are left with the two halves, intertwined, showing the filling on top. 

Grease two loaf pans. Carefully lift the dough into a loaf pan and let the braided Babkas rise for about 3-4 hours (or overnight). 

To make the Simple Syrup(optional), Combine the water and sugar in a pot at medium heat and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Set aside until babkas are baked

Once the babkas have risen, set the oven to 350F. Brush the babkas with the egg wash. Bake the for 30-40 minutes until dark golden and glistening. Take the Babkas out of the oven and brush with the simple syrup.